In 1980, Walter Aksionoff began what would become an impactful 45-year career as the associate coach for the Malverne boys basketball team.

On Monday, he finished where he started.

After retiring last season, Aksionoff, 77, returned to Malverne to coach one last game. The team honored him with a surprise ceremony before the championship game of the annual Hank Williams Memorial Tournament on Monday night, a 55-47 loss to Manhasset.

“His name is synonymous with Malverne basketball. His legacy goes beyond the trophies and banners. His dedication, loyalty and relentless work ethic have shaped not only the program, but the lives of countless young men on and off the court,” the public address announcer said during a pregame ceremony.

Aksionoff worked alongside longtime head coach Hank Williams, who died in 2000. Aksionoff then spent the remainder of his career with current head coach Darrol Lopez, who took over the program for Williams. Aksionoff helped lead the Mules to two of their three state titles in 1981 and 2007.

With the stands full of family, friends and alumni, Aksionoff said there are no words to describe the emotions.

“Basketball was my first love,” the Baldwin resident said. “I’m here, I love it, it’s a great life. There’s nowhere like this basketball arena, so being back is like deja vu.”

Craig Wilson, who was the tournament MVP on the '07 state championship team, was on hand Monday to celebrate his coach.

“Coach [Aksionoff] has always been by the book,” Wilson said. “He’s blue collar, he comes here to work. There was no other coach willing to be there for me like he was. He’s been everything to this program and it wouldn’t — it won’t — be the same without him.”

But to Aksionoff, it was players such as Wilson who kept him coming back year after year.

“He had dedication you don’t see too often and it brought us memories we’ll never forget,” Aksionoff said. "That’s what it’s really about. It’s the kids that are the best and making those memories with them.”

After more than two decades together, Lopez said he still admires Aksionoff’s love for the game.

“He’s very intense, that was always good for us,” Lopez said. “He loves the kids and he loves coaching basketball. He’s Malverne blue and orange through and through. It’s not often you can find someone so dedicated, so involved with one program and we’ll miss that.”

Despite retiring, Aksionoff still supervises games and jumped at the opportunity to get back on the bench. The help, Lopez said, is more than welcome.

“If for whatever reason I wasn’t here . . . I knew the program was in good hands,” Lopez said. “He’s a guiding force for us and I can trust him to handle things. He’s a big inspiration to me as a coach and as a man.”

As he moves on to the next chapter, Aksionoff said he hopes his love for basketball continues to run through the program. Though no longer on the roster, he will always be Coach ‘A.’

“Between Darrol and everyone before us, we put a lot into the game,” Aksionoff said. “I want the kids to be successful and I want them to get better but, mostly, I want them to love and appreciate the game as much as we do. I hope that’s my impact.”

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